THE LISBON CONCIERGE
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Complete Lisbon Metro Guide

Metro System Overview

The Lisbon Metro is the fastest and most efficient way to navigate the city, with four color-coded lines covering 56 stations across 44.5 km of track.

The Four Lines

🔵 Blue Line (Azul) - Seagull Line

Connects Santa Apolónia to Reboleira, passing through the city center

🟡 Yellow Line (Amarela) - Sunflower Line

Links Rato to Odivelas, serving the northern districts

🟢 Green Line (Verde) - Caravel Line

Runs from Cais do Sodré to Telheiras, connecting riverside to northern neighborhoods

🔴 Red Line (Vermelha) - Orient Line

Essential for travelers - connects the Airport to São Sebastião via key interchange stations

Operating Hours & Frequency

Standard Operating Hours

  • Daily Service: 6:30 AM - 1:00 AM
  • Including: Weekends and public holidays
  • First trains: 6:30 AM from terminal stations
  • Last trains: 1:00 AM from terminal stations

Train Frequency

Red Line (Airport Line) - Weekdays

  • 6:30-7:10 AM: Every ~9:45 minutes (early morning)
  • 7:10-9:45 AM: Every ~6 minutes (morning rush)
  • 9:45 AM-4:30 PM: Every ~7:05 minutes (midday)
  • 4:30-8:00 PM: Every ~6 minutes (evening rush)
  • 8:00 PM-1:00 AM: Every ~8-10 minutes (evening)

Weekends & Holidays

  • All day: Every 8:00-9:25 minutes
  • Slightly reduced frequency but still regular service

Fare System & Travel Cards

Viva Viagem / 7 Colinas Card

Your essential travel companion in Lisbon:

  • Card cost: €0.50 (one-time purchase)
  • Validity: 1 year from purchase
  • Reusable: Yes - recharge as needed
  • Where to buy: Any metro station ticket machine or booth

Ticket Options

Single Journey

  • Metro only: €1.65
  • Valid for: Multiple trips within 1 hour

24-Hour Ticket

  • Carris/Metro: €6.60
  • Includes: Unlimited metro, bus, tram, and elevator rides
  • Best for: Tourists doing multiple trips per day

Zapping (Pay-as-you-go)

  • Per journey: €1.47 (metro)
  • Advantage: Lower per-trip cost
  • Daily cap: €9.00 (automatically applied)

Airport to City Center

Using the Red Line from Airport

  1. Exit arrivals and follow "Metro" signs
  2. Purchase Viva Viagem card at machines
  3. Load your preferred ticket option
  4. Board Red Line towards São Sebastião
  5. Transfer at Alameda (Green Line) or Saldanha (Yellow Line) for other destinations

Journey Times from Airport

  • To Baixa-Chiado: ~25 minutes (1 transfer)
  • To Rossio: ~22 minutes (1 transfer)
  • To Cais do Sodré: ~30 minutes (1 transfer)
  • To Marquês de Pombal: ~20 minutes (direct)

Station Highlights

Major Interchange Stations

  • Marquês de Pombal: Blue ↔ Yellow lines
  • Alameda: Green ↔ Red lines
  • Saldanha: Yellow ↔ Red lines
  • Campo Grande: Yellow ↔ Green lines

Tourist-Friendly Stations

  • Baixa-Chiado: Historic center, shopping
  • Rossio: Central square, restaurants
  • Cais do Sodré: Riverside, Time Out Market
  • Oriente: Modern architecture, Vasco da Gama mall
  • Belém: Monuments (via tram 15 from Cais do Sodré)

Tips for Metro Travel

Peak Hours to Avoid

  • Morning: 7:30-9:30 AM
  • Evening: 5:30-7:30 PM
  • Fridays: Extended evening rush

Safety & Comfort

  • Keep valuables secure, especially in crowded cars
  • Stand right on escalators, walk left
  • Priority seats for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers
  • Air-conditioned trains throughout the system

Accessibility

  • Most stations have elevators or escalator access
  • Platform-to-train gap minimal
  • Audio announcements in Portuguese and English
  • Visual displays show next station

Money-Saving Tips

  • Buy 24-hour ticket if making 4+ trips
  • Use Zapping for flexibility with daily cap protection
  • Children under 4 travel free
  • Students and seniors eligible for discounts with proper ID

Mobile Apps & Resources

Official Metro Lisboa App

  • Real-time train arrivals
  • Journey planner
  • Service alerts
  • Station facilities info

CityMapper

  • Multi-modal journey planning
  • Real-time updates
  • Works offline

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't forget to validate your ticket before boarding
  • Don't lose your ticket - needed to exit
  • Don't try to use expired day passes
  • Don't board without checking the train's final destination

Emergency Contacts

  • Metro Security: 213 500 115
  • Lost Property: 213 500 115
  • Customer Service: 213 500 115
  • Emergency (SOS): 112

The Lisbon Metro is your gateway to exploring the city efficiently and affordably. With this guide, you'll navigate like a local from day one!

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